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Joined:
April 2013
Posts: 101
Location: NW Indiana | Hi Everybody,
I added a used 1778TX-5GSM to the stable. I cleaned it and restrung it with D'Addario Lights. It sounded great, but the action was a bit too high. I decided that I would take out a shim or two, and also decided to put on a set of my favorite strings, Ernie Ball Aluminum Bronze Lights.
After taking out 2 shims and installing the EBs, the intonation was off on the G string above the 5th fret. I put the 2 shims back in, still the same problem. I then added another shim cut from an old credit card...same problem. Here's the weird thing.....I put back all of the original shims, threw away the credit card shim, and restrung it with new D'Addarios. It sounds perfect (but the action is still too high). So, three sets of strings later I am back to where I was. Any thoughts?
Thanks
Rick |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 3650
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Pardon the humour, but "that's where the action is". You may need professional help. |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 3650
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | May need a "compensated" saddle. |
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January 2009
Posts: 1249
Location: Texas | You may need more strings. |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | The cure for too high action on a TX is lighter strings.
Try Silk-n-Steel or Silk-n-Phosphor or something disgustingly light.
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | A compensated saddle, consistent strings (to what you use and are set up for)and a good set up.
Once you find what works then stick with it. |
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April 2013
Posts: 101
Location: NW Indiana | Thanks for all the feedback. I'm on the hunt...... |
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March 2010
Posts: 486
Location: Suisun City, Ca | seesquare - 2015-06-28 8:15 AM May need a "compensated" saddle. Hmmmm..... Does it come with a set of string tubes? Is that real? |
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Joined:
May 2011
Posts: 758
Location: Muenster/Germany | Sometimes there is a bad string in a set. If you take out one Ovation shim you change the action about 1mm, I never experienced that this would severely change the intonation of a guitar. |
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Joined:
April 2013
Posts: 101
Location: NW Indiana | Thanks again everybody. I am still baffled by this bit of voodoo. As I mentioned, I returned the 1778TX-GSM to the original shims (3) and a new set of D'Addarios, and it sounds wonderful. But the action above the 7th fret is too high. Since the 70's I have had 8 Ovations, and you know how an Ovation is just FUN to play? Well, this one is not. It's weird. I will probably end up taking it to a luthier. |
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August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | From what I understand, this is not an uncommon problem with the recent offshore guitars. |
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December 2006
Posts: 6995
Location: Jet City | Have you tried removing the shims with D'Addarios on? As I'm reading it, you've only had them on with the shims underneath. Could be the EBs This is why I've used the same brand on my electrics for decades. I noticed a distinct change in my intonation by switching brands and gauges. If I switch up, I have to make adjustments to compensate, and that's just a pain in the ***. I'm not sure about the offshore models, but it's my assumption Ovations are initially setup with D'Addarios, so for the most part, that's what I use.
Edited by Damon67 2015-07-03 12:48 PM
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July 2005
Posts: 1609
Location: Colorado | You can always omit playing the G string... |
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Joined:
April 2013
Posts: 101
Location: NW Indiana | Damon67....as I read your post I cocked my head, and thought, "how could I NOT have thought of that". I will remove a couple of shims (under the D'Addarios) tonight and let you know what I find. Thank you...even if it's just a wake-up call pointing at my obvious stupidity. lol |
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Joined:
April 2013
Posts: 101
Location: NW Indiana | Damon67....THANK YOU! That did the trick! Took out 2 shims which lowered the strings, and the intonation is perfect all over the fretboard. My idiocy amazes me sometimes! I have to admit that I still don't understand it. Though it makes sense that since the guitar is set up for D'Addario strings a change in the shims should't matter, but over the years I have never removed a shim on an Ovation, but have changed string brands and gauges many times and have never lost intonation. Weird, but this has been a great learning experience. Thank you for your help (and thanks to all for your valued opinions). |
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Advice?